Friday, July 15, 2005

So it's not like you can't see how Britney is developing in her pregnancy since it's a popular Google search and also in all the magazines.
And much like you take your video camera to the birth of your child, Britney and her husband Kevin, will be doing the same. Only all of you can watch. Yes folks, their reality series, "Chaotic" is coming back and the next season will document her pregnancy and the birth of her baby. Or babies.
Will motherhood make her life chaotic?

Ossification is the gradual transition of your baby's skeletal bones from a fibrous or cartilage template to hard bone. This process takes place at different rates and is completed at different stages depending on what part of the body is developing and growing.
By week 12 of pregnancy the development of your baby's bones is complete, and now the baby's main task is to grow strong and healthy during the next six months. Almost all ossification takes place before your baby is born, however, there are two areas that will not complete ossification until the time of your child's second birthday. These areas are the fontanels of the skull.
The fontanels are the two soft spots on a baby's head that, during birth, enable the soft-bony plates of the baby's skull to flex allowing the head to pass through the birth canal with relative ease in most cases. The rear fontanel takes about four months to close, while the front one takes between nine and 18 months.
To help your baby develop and grow strong bones, make sure your pregnancy diet is rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats with high levels of the following vitamins and minerals:
Vitamin D - Vitamin A - Vitamin C
-Riboflavin
-Phosphorus
-Magnesium
-Iron
-Calcium
All of these are essential to provide optimum health for you and your baby during pregnancy. Getting these nutrients will help ensure the proper bone development and bone growth of your baby.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Hi Everyone!
Today at work, we all took a pregnancy test (no, not an EPT) but a test of our knowledge of pregnancy.
How well will you do? You can take it here. Leave a comment and let me know how well you do.
And no cheating!

If lower back pain has been haunting you, look into getting an ergonomic chair to help you make it through long days with less pain, and less muscle strain and fatigue to bring to bed with you at night. You probably spend about seventy percent of your day seated, so an ergonomically correct chair could be just what you need to relieve the pain and pressure in your back.
Ergonomics is the study of the interrelationships between bodies and their environments. It was developed during World War II and today ergonomic keyboards, chairs, and workstations can be found in most offices.
Any ergonomic chair you consider should provide the following features:
-Adjustable seat height. This is especially important if you want to continue using the seat after your pregnancy.
-Contoured seat. This allows your buttocks to fit into it comfortably, without having to wear the seat down first (which would take a lot longer than your pregnancy will!).
-Firm and comfortable seat and back pads. It can be divine to sink into a cushy chair, but a firm one guarantees you comfort and support over time.
-Sloping front edge to the seat. This prevents your knees from pressing against it too hard.
-Armrests that fit your arms. They should be molded so that they're comfortable and not all edges, and they should be at a height that feels natural to you.
-Adjustable backrest. Having a backrest that accommodates your positions is very important because you will want to use the backrest to get the support you need.
Sit back in your chair, resting your entire buttocks on it and using the backrest at all times. This will allow your chair to hold your entire body and give you the rest you need from doing all that work yourself!

Your child is what you eat
According to folk wisdom, what you put in your body before conceiving may affect what comes out nine months later.
If You Want a Boy- Eat more meat (the redder the better). Stick with salty snacks -- pretzels, chips, and so on. Dads-to-be: Stock up on soda (especially cola drinks).
If You Want a Girl- Both partners should eat lots of fish and veggies. Give in to your chocolate craving (or just eat sweets in general).
The joy of sex
Quite a few old wives' tales about sex selection involve theories about the best way to make love if you want to influence your baby's gender.
If You Want a Boy-Lie down after sex and stay there for a while. Supposedly that gives the boy sperm a chance to beat the girl sperm to the egg. Make love standing up. Try the rear-entry position. Focus on his pleasure -- if the male partner climaxes first, you're supposedly guaranteed a boy. Give in to seduction -- if the man is the one to suggest some baby-making, you'll get a boy. Gals, sleep to the left of your partner.
If You Want a Girl-Give the missionary position a go. Make love with the woman on top. Focus on her pleasure -- if the woman orgasms before her partner, you can decorate your nursery in pink. Take the lead -- if the woman initiates sex, you'll get a girl.
It's all in the timing...or the direction
In a society where lots of people still rely on their daily horoscope for guidance, is it any surprise that superstition and folklore also dictate when to make love if you want to pick your baby's sex?
If You Want a Boy- Make love when there's a quarter moon in the sky. Have sex at night. Mark your calendar -- more boys are conceived on odd days of the month. Follow the compass -- one of our users swears that pointing the woman's head north while you make love guarantees a boy.
If You Want a Girl-Do the baby dance when the moon is full. Make a date for love in the afternoon. Get together on the even days of the month.
Keeping your cool
And we mean both literally and figuratively. According to some stories, being relaxed when you conceive means you'll have a girl; if you're a worrywart, a son's in your future. But actual temperature may play a role, too. Some old wives say a man's testicles should be cool before you have sex if you want a daughter; for a son, warm them up. That plays into the common belief about boxers versus briefs -- go for the tidy whiteys if you want a boy, but hang loose if you're aching for a girl. (FYI, research does suggest that boxers are best for baby-making in general.)
Just plain way out there
Some sex selection folklore defies categorization. For instance, some say that if the hairline at the base of your last child's neck is a ducktail, your next baby will be a girl; if it's straight across, prepare for a boy. Another story says that the baby's sex is determined by which partner is dominant in the relationship at the time of conception
Courtesy of MSN.com

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

It seems as if there are so many online pregnancy resources doesn't it? Anything you want to research or find out, you can find online. I ran across a section on MSNBC.com today called, Maternity Madness. This section will explore the "anxieties, controversies and difficult decsions that many expectant parents may not have expected." They have already had articles on childbirth choices and pregnancy panic attacks. I look forward to what they will be reporting on next!

"Feeling hot, hot, hot!"
It seems like it has been a mild summer until now and finally it feels like those hot summer days when you don't want to go outside and the air conditioning is on full blast! Here are some great summer safety tips for your pregnant moms!
While summer may conjure up images of fun vacations, picnics, barbeques, and balmy evenings spent outside on the porch, the reality may be a bit less bucolic, especially when you're pregnant. Summer heat can exacerbate any discomfort you may be feeling due to hormonal fluctuations, extra body weight, and other physical changes.
In addition, the heat can be dangerous for you and your baby if you become overheated, dehydrated, or develop hyperthermia (not to be confused with hypothermia, which is caused by extreme cold). Early signs you are dehydrated include thirst, dry or chapped lips, dry skin, fatigue, and constipation. You may also notice that your baby is less active than usual. If you experience any of these symptoms, go somewhere cool, sit down, and drink cool water or fruit juice. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, lie down on your left side and place a cool cloth on your forehead and neck.
Hyperthermia is the general name given to several heat-related illnesses, including heat cramps, exhaustion, and stroke. Heat cramps are the least severe of the heat-related illnesses and they are often the first sign that your body is stressed due to increased temperature. Heavy perspiration causes excessive loss of electrolytes, which leads to painful muscle spasms. If you experience heat cramps, treat them as a serious warning that unless you reduce your body temperature, you could develop a serious heat-related emergency.
Heat exhaustion is a more serious and complex condition that can result from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, restricted fluid intake, or failure of your body's temperature regulation mechanism. If you develop heat exhaustion, your skin may feel cool, moist, and pale. You may also suffer from headache, nausea, weakness, exhaustion, dizziness, faintness, mental confusion, and have a rapid, weak pulse. Your breathing may become fast and shallow, and your blood pressure may drop.
Heat exhaustion can develop rapidly into heat stroke, a potentially life threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention when problems first appear. Heat stroke, like heat exhaustion, is a product of prolonged exposure to high temperatures, restricted fluid intake, or failure of your body's temperature regulation mechanisms. However, the impact on your body is much greater with heat stroke.
If you develop heat stroke, your body temperature reaches 104°F (40°C) or higher, and you may also experience mental confusion, combative and bizarre behavior, staggering, and faintness. Your pulse will be strong and rapid (160-180 beats per minute) and your skin will become dry and flushed. You will sweat very little and can quickly lose consciousness or have convulsions.While it may seem logical that all the extra fluid that you're carrying in your ankles, hands, and belly would protect you and your baby from dehydration, it may actually contribute to dehydration. Fluid retention moves the fluid out of the cells where it's needed, and into the spaces around them, causing the swollen and puffy look you may be experiencing.
Dehydration can be especially dangerous when you're pregnant because it can cause your baby's heart to beat too quickly and increase your risk of preterm labor. The likelihood of preterm labor increases because dehydration decreases your blood volume, thereby increasing the concentration of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for uterine contractions.
In addition, your baby is always 1 degree Celsius (nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than you are, and it cannot sweat to lower his or her body temperature. Avoiding fetal heat stress is especially important during the first trimester when your baby's major body systems are developing. Hyperthermia may be associated with some birth defects, including heart problems, abdominal wall defects, and nervous system malformation.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, see your doctor immediately:
-More than five contractions or cramps per hour
-Bright red vaginal bleeding
-Acute or continuous vomiting
-Low, dull backache
-Intense pelvic pressure
To stay cool during the summer months and protect you and your baby from dehydration, drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each day - more if you are active or sweating a lot. Eating lighter meals can also help you stay cool since large meals increase your metabolism, which can make you feel hotter. Try making healthy popsicles by freezing fruit juice, or eat out at an air-conditioned restaurant to avoid using the stove or oven to cook lunch or dinner.
Spend as much time in an air-conditioned environment as possible. If you don't have access to air conditioning, a fan and an air filter or dehumidifier can help. However, if the temperature is in the high 90s or higher, a simple fan will not prevent heat-related illness. Limit the time you spend outdoors during the midday hours; if you must be outside, rest frequently in the shade. Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in light colors, and wear a hat when you are in the sun.
Sunburns impair your body's ability to cool itself and cause a loss of body fluids, so always remember to wear a good sunscreen with at least SPF 15 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Try taking a cool shower or bath or, if you have access, a refreshing dip in a swimming pool. Even if you don't have access to a full-sized pool, lying in a kiddie pool or just soaking your feet can help cool you off.By paying attention to your body's warning signs and following these simple tips, you can stay cool and healthy during the dog days of your summer pregnancy.

Hi Everyone!
I hope you all had a nice weekend. Our weekend was hot hot! I have one young daughter, Tabitha, although we call her Tabby. We spent a good portion of the weekend at a neighbor's house because they have a pool!
Anyway, below is some good information regarding maternity leave. Be sure to check with Human Resources as to how your company works. After all, some companies don't even have "standard" maternity leave.
Most mothers-to-be simply cannot wait to tell friends and family about their pregnancy, but few eagerly await the opportunity to share the news with their managers. At some point, you will have no choice but to do so, and at that point you can take great comfort from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Under the FMLA, you are eligible for pregnancy disability or maternity leave if you have:
-worked for your employer for at least 12 months over the course of your life;
-worked at least 1,250 hours, which translates to about 24 hours a week for 52 weeks; and (not or),
-work at a location where at least fifty employees are posted within 75 miles.
If you or your employer do not meet one or more of these conditions, the FMLA does not provide for you, but your state may guarantee you short-term disability pay. Otherwise, your only option is to piece together your maternity leave from your sick leave, vacation, and compensatory time.
Employees who are eligible to take advantage of the FMLA have 12 weeks of maternity leave at their disposal, but there are a couple of catches. It may or may not be paid. Our federal government does not require that your employer offer paid maternity leave. If you do need to draw your pay while on leave, your employer may allow you to use your accrued vacation, comp time, and/or sick leave as part of your maternity leave. In fact, some employers require that you do.
Once you return to work, you should find yourself in the same or an equivalent position, but if you would have been laid off or otherwise terminated had you worked during your maternity leave, the law does not require that your benefits be continued or that you be reinstated. You accrue no benefits or seniority while on leave, but you are protected from the use of FMLA leave as a negative factor in hiring, promotion, disciplinary actions, and bonus assignment based on position rather than performance.
Before sitting down with your manager to let them know of your impending need for maternity leave, spend some time thinking about what you need to communicate to your boss at this time in your life. Ask yourself not only how much leave you want and when and how you want to take it, but also what you want your schedule to be like when you return.
If your employer gives you a hard time about taking leave or tries to discourage you from doing so, remember that the FMLA outlaws any interference with your taking advantage of your rights under the law, and solicit the opinion of an attorney in your community who can inform you not only of the federal law and standards but also of applicable state laws.